Flashlight for continuity check with self contained battery charger accessory



March 30, 1965 c. G. ALExlou 3,175,220

FLASHLIGHT FOR CONTINUITY CHECK WITH SELF CONTAINED BATTERY CHARGER ACCESSORY Filed 001'.. 8, 1962 IN VUV TOR.

United States Patent C) 3,176,220 FLASHLIGHT FOR CONTINUITY CHECK WITH SELF CONTAINED BATTERY CHARGER ACCESSORY Christos G. Alexiou, 6758 Yolanda Ave., Reseda, Calif.

Filed Oct. 8, 1962, Ser. No. 228,857

2 Claims. (Cl. 324-53) This invention relates to a combination of a flashlight apparatus and a continuity tester device and mare particularly to an improvement in apparatus adapted for uses in connection with household appliances that may be employed in case of emergency or in trade.

Accordingly au object of the invention ris to provide a compact flashlight apparatus having means for storing dry-cells therein, also, said apparatus having means for att-aching a pair of suitable test leads thereto that may be used for a continuity check of the electric cur' rent, brok-en wires, disconnected connections, and the like. Y A further object of the invention is to provide said ashlight apparatus with a set of suitable longitudinal compartments that may be used for depositing holding and en. closing therein suitable dry-cell batteries and a wiring system for a battery recharge unit and thereby securing a drycell battery re-charge from the conventional 11S-117 volt A.C. current.

Another object of the invention is to provide said flashlight unit or apparatus with .a set of detachable test leads whereby the continuity check in -the electrical system may be had without disturbing or dismantling said flashlight apparatus.

A further object of the invention is to provide a conventional ashlight apparatus `with a suitable Yswitch means so that same may be used for controlling the On and Oi current discharge therein and thereby controlling the light bulb illumination, and in addition, said switch having suitable tubular sockets associated therewithy adapted for attaching and connecting said test leads thereto that may be used for the continuity and other test of the electric current. A

The invention also has for its objects to provide such means that are positive in operation, convenient in use, easily installed in a working position and easily disconnected therefrom, economical in manufacture, relatively simple, and `of general superiority and serviceability.

Other .and further objects and advantages of the invention as will hereinafter more fully appear, it is attained by .the construction herein shown on the drawings and described in the specification forming apart of the application. l Y t Reference is had to the accompanying drawings, in which the similar reference characters denote the same parts.

In the drawing: Y i A FIG. l shows a vertically sectional view of the dash-light apparatus, disclosing the compartments and component parts therein, ltaken on line 1 1 of the FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 shows a vertical side elevational view thereof, taken from the right of the FIG. l.

FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6 show the transverse horizontally section-al views of the ashlight apparatus, taken on lines 3 3, 4 4, 5 5 and 6 6 respectively, of the FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 shows aV fragmentary and partly sectional view of the adapter, when connected -to and used with a conventional flashlight apparat-us. Y v

FIG. 8 shows an enlarged nagmentaryand sectional view of the iiashlight headsection, showing the lead line connections in modiied form, taken on line 8 8 of the FIG. 9. l

FIG. 9 shows a vertically section-al and fragmentary view of the ashlight appanatus, taken in the direc-tion of lines 9 9 of the FIG. 8.

ice

FIG. 10 shows a `fragmentary top view of the adapter, taken from the top lof the FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 shows a wiring diagram of the electrical system adapted for re-charging a dry cell battery thatmay be mounted in the end compartment of the apparatus shown in FIG. l.

FlG. l2 sho-ws a vertically sectional and fragmentary View of the auxiliary switch used in recharging dry cell battery.

Describing the invention more in detail, in its broader aspects, said invention comprises a ilashlight :apparatus or unit, and is generally designated by numenal 2, which consists of a ltop enclosure A, and an upper housing B including a bottom housing C.

Said top enclosure A is made out of suitable translucent and :transparent material forming a cover plate 4, the lower supporting sect-ion of which being removably secured upon and over -an upwardly extending ledge 6 g which is disposed in and extends from the top ridge section 8 of said upper housing B.

The outer section of said housing B comprises a wall 10 wherein the lower edge is provided vwith a recessed extension y12 'adapted for engaging a recessed wall 14 disposed -at the upwardly extending rim which is formed out of the outer wall 16 provided in said bottom housing C of ythe apparatus.

Said enclosure A is removable, having a wall extending upwardly and terminating with said cover plate 4 which is provided with a transparent and `light condensing lens 18 adapted for allowing the light rays emitting from a light bulb 20 to pass therethrough.

Said light bulb 20, when in position, is disposed inter- `iorly of said enclosure A and is mounted -in a socket provided in and formed out of a suitable reilecting plate 22, thus Vallowing the light rays emitting from said light bulb 20 to become reflected lagainst said cover plate 4 and also allowing -saidlight rays to pass through said lens 18 and become intensilied .and concentrated to a degree that may be most desirable in practice.

The outer edges of said reilecting plate 22 are suitably -turned and flared for forming a closure strip `adapted for enclosing and foresealing said ledge 6 when mounted thereover, while the mid-section of said rellecting plate is provided with a dwell which extends longitudinally and slightly below the extending edge or said ledge 6, having theunderside' surface section of said reiiecting plate dwell, and at one end thereof, provided with `a iirst tubular contact socket 24, las shown.

Said tubular 4contact socket 24 may, if so desired, be an integral part of said reflecting plate 22, or, be made in form of a tubular sheathand then soldered in position as shown, having the open end thereof directed toward a companion lopening or aperture 26 disposed in and passing through said top ridge section 8 of said upper housing B. i

At the lower end section of said upper housing B and beneath said mounted light bulb 20, a suitable extending boss 28 is provided which is adapted for securing thereto a contact pin 30' having the lower end 32 protruding downwardly into and terminating within said bottom housing C.

Said'contact pin 30 is made in forrri of a suitable cylindrical plug and is used as a rivet of which the upper end portion thereof is arranged for mounting and for holding in position the bottom end of a ilexible U-shaped contact plate 34.

The upper end 36 of said contact plate 34, when in secured position, provides a contact for the downwardly extending contact lobe 38 which is provided in the lamp base 40 of said light bulb 20.

The mid-section 42 of said upper housing B is provided with a suitable central bracket 44, having the lower end to bear againstth bulb` 2) to become energized.

46', of whichthe lower .end` thereof is held in place by means of a suitableV pin or a'rivet, asshown. Y

boss 28 aV suitable passage is provided therein, which is ad'aptedif'or allowing the upwardly extending end sec-- tion of vsaid-contacting platejfti to pass freely` thereagrega@ x section arranged fonmountingthereon `a contactingplate Between saidzcentral bracket ,144 and said extending through, said upwardlyextendingsection'beirig'provided the upper loop extension 48 is disposed over the Vupper edge'of said centralbracket44..v .i

"Said lloop extension 4S of said contacting plate 46Ais ,also provided with anangularlyaand upwardly directed vextension'of whichfthe Vextending end thereof terminates Y Vwith acontact tipV 5 6, as shown. i

ASaid contact tip 5 0 suitably formed, the end of which extends toward the lamp base 4t) YVand is adaptedpfor making a contact therewith when saidupwardlydirected exf tension of said contacting plate 46is sidewardly pressedl and slanted, as shown in dotted lines, said sideward pres- ,surerand the s'lantingV thereof Vis accomplished by means ofy a Aswitch pin 52; which is normally mounted-'in the uppercorrugation of said upper loop 4S and lwhen moved upwardly, thereby actuating the loop folds of ysaid plate 46, the'rnanner of operation of which will be presently described.

l with apair of yielding corrugations or loops of which" .ing said electrical circuit ,t'o'become broken"V and which alsocauses the lightbulb y to become (le-energized.

f Said housing C is provided with' an auxiliary longitudinal` compartment 94wherein a spare dry cellbattery 96, shown iny dotted lines,'may.behoused, .thego'pening of i. saidcompartment 94 is enclosed by'means of aremovable The center section vofsaid housing C isip'rovided with a center compartment ltlwhichisenclosed by a detach- .able closing .plug 102, said compartment 100 at its `upper At the upper `portiongof said1midsection42 a suitable supporting'boss 54is provided having an aperture Yor hole adapted for supporting a tubular Vcontact56 therein and Whichis made in form Vof a socket, saidlboss'54 is also provided with'a-transversely positioned slot 58 (see FIG. 4)

end is enclosed by said uppercross wall 82 and Vadapted l yfor securing therein a suitable companion contact prong 104, the lower end thereof.b'eing embedded and firmly anchored in place while theupwardlyextending end 106 isV4 fitted within an aperture 108 provided in saidv midsection 42of `said upper housing B, fas shown.

' Saidl companion prongV 104 is provided with-V a Vbase Y plate110 to which a suitable wire l112 isY connected, the

v ment 100,-'and which may,if so desired, be connected to` which extends to a suiii'cientdepth in said boss 54,'so that a Y Vcircular plate '60 may be mounted therein and held inv its centralposition by means of said ContactV socket56V and i wherein it is securedby'meanfs'of a' spring Washer 62.

Said circular plate'tlis provided with an t'autwardlyV YVextending lug 64 the extendedendthereot having a'lhole provided therein to which vone end ofiaconducting coilor spring66 is connected, while the other end of said spring is attached to vsaid `upwardlyldisposed loop extension 48 and slightlybelow saidcontact tipY 50 Yof said contacting V"plate4\5." Y i Inthis manner the electrical vcontact between said tubu;Y

lar contact 56 including said contacting plate46 is esv 1 tab1ished, and also', the electrical Contact between/said Contact ,pi'n'30 through the lamp vbase 40 and the reflecting platelZZ including saidV tubular contactjsocket 24 is made complete. Y

v i Said lower end 32..offsaid contact pindextends into y ank-upper section'of said bottom housing C passing through Yan 'aperture providedA in said extending boss 2 8V and is', Y adapted for making acontact with'the electrodeof a dry i feellbattery fwhich is mountedwithin' a suitable lon- Y s gitudinalA compartment 7 2,asaid batteryv70 being supported in position VVbynieans of a closing plug 7 4, said ingC and to whichla contact wire 78 is connected, said wiref78 leading upwardly and connecting a base of a contact prongs!) which is secured lfirmly/*in tli cross .wall 82 of said bottom housing C.

:tact with the side section of said upper loop extension 48 Vextended endthereof is deposited in vsaid center compart-V the battery recharging unit 114,V shown in FIG. Yl5.

It may be noted," that said center compartment 100 Y may remain empty if so desired, or,V it may be used for storage of the light bulbs or theflike, or, that the space so provided Ymay be usedzfor mounting thereinfsaid batteryfrecharging unit 114,1whi'ch consists of atransformer 116 of which the leadrline 118 connects with,v the contact prong 80.*and the 'lead line 1 20 is. connectedto said wire .112.-V. Y. j

Theopposite sidev of` ,Said transformer 116 is provided with a lead wire 122 adapted for connecting the cathode Y electrode of said battery .70, whileV the leadwi-re 124 is 'Y 70 (shown in FIG. 16.)

zplug'finga preferredform issrnade 'out ofV suitable ,con- @.ductve, material and adaptedforv malging a contact with i a plate 7 6 which is embedded withinjthe wall of said heusof said contacting plate 4 6, so that whensaid switchpin A '5 2 is moved upwardly'for'k causing said contact tip 50 e lamp lbaseY 40 then the electrical curj-k rent in saiddry cell Ybattery V7l.) will flowlinto and through said'U-shaped contactV plate 34 and will cause said light Said switch. pin V52,1-inconstruction,is 'an extension Y in said g Y Y Ytact plug136'is positioned in of a switch plate 86,A see FIG. 5,' which is slidably mounted fina T.shape d 'slot '8S .disposed in'aSuitable internal plate below said switchV connected .toa selenium rectiiier 126 having a shunted resistor' 128 provided therein'andfrom which-a common lead line 130 connects a contacting switch-132 that is disposed at the anode electro e'fof said dry Vcell battery The Wiring connections of theY recharging unit-114, as shown in FIG.V 16', arefarranged and; assembled Within said compartment 1100,' so'that when `it is desired torelcharge said battery 70 disposed in said longitudinal compartment 72 then said upper housing B is removed from itsmounted position andthe contact andgcornpanion prongs V and 104 respectively, are inserted in acon- -ventional electric current carrying socket'delivering electrical current of 110-117 A.C. volts.

Said contacting switch 132 is arrangedfor connecting lead Wires to the battery 70 when said contact pin V30 is placed -in its receiving aperture in the manner Yshown in FIG. l, and at the Sametime 'opening a contact with a Y plate'which makes a contact with 'the anoderelectnode of said battery 7 0 only when said t contact pin 30 is removed nrom its` mountedV position. Therefore, when said ilash light is desi-red tobe used, jsaiid upper housing B is Vand then saidY switch plate 861isfe1`nploye`d yfor making a contact for energizing said light bulb 20. 'l When ,a continuity checlrisQdesired using saidiiash light Zas lanrindicator, then a lcon-tact plug134'is'inserted first tubular contact `socket24V and another coneach 'plug-,134;andj136 havinga pair of separate lead wires. 138 'and 140,' .each terminating with a Ysuitable `prodrding rods 142 .and 144prespe'ctively, so/'th'at the replaced in its mounted positionA lsaid vtubularVV Ycc'intact 56,Y f

electrical current may be received from said dry cell battery 70 when said switch plate 86 is retained in an inactive position, as shown in FIG. l.

As shown in FIG. 7, a conventional flash light unit 2' may be used by employing continuity check attachment d which comprises a suitable retainer 151 wherein one tubular socket 152 is grounded to the outer housing or case 154 of said flash light unit 2', and the second tubular socket 156 mounted therein is provided with a connecting lead wire 158 the extended end of which being provided with suitable insulation land allowed to pass through an aperture or hole 160 for connecting the wire end 162 to a contact plate 164.

The contact plugs 134 and 136 of the prodding lead wires may then be attached in the respective sockets 152 and 156, so that said light bulb 20 may be energized by the electrical current passing from said battery 70' when said prodding -rods 142 and 144 are in use.

In order to hold said continuity check attachment 150 in piace, a suitable band lie is provided and made an integral part oi` said retainer 151, said band being flexible and resilient in texture and adapted for fastening and holding said attachment around said housing of said flash light unit 2 when same is in its mounted position.

ln FIGS. 8, 9 and l0, the continuity check attachment 150' is provided with a pair of tubular sockets 152' and 156 which are mounted in a suitable base or retainer 165 having a resilient band 166' adapted for holding said retainer iirrnly in place upon said outer case 154 of the ashlight unit.

Said tubular socket 152 is grounded to said outer case 154', as shown in FIG. 8, and the tubular socket 156 is provided with a connecting lead wire 158' having the extended wire ends 162 connected to said contact plate 164', so that when said respective contact plugs 134 and 136 of said prodding lead wire lines 138 and 140 are positioned in place and interconnecting the respective sockets 152' and 156' then the electric current flowing from said dry cell battery 70 may be used for the continuity check and other purposes desired and thus energizing said light bulb of said ilashlight unit 271.

While I have thus described the invention with great particularity, it will be clear that the same may be modified throughout a wide range.

I accordingly do not propose to be limited to the exact details of construction herein shown on the drawings and described in the specication, but reserve the rights in practice to make any necessary changes and modifications therein, which may come Within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In the apparatus of the class described adapted for use in a continuity check, comprising, a flashlight unit having an upper and a bottom housing detachably mounted and super-imposed one over the other, said upper housing having a top ridge section extending upwardly, a reflecting plate having a dwell and mounted within said top ridge section, a wall in said upper housing having an aperture passing therethrough, a light bulb secured in said reflecting plate, @a set of longitudinal compartments in said bottom housing positioned adjacently to each other and each having an open and threaded end terminating at the bottom of said housing, an outer wall surrounding said compartments in said bottom housing, a closing plug secured in each of said open and threaded ends of said longitudinal compartments in said bottom housing, a dry cell battery disposed in one of said longitudinal compartments having the anode electrode thereof disposed in close proximity to and connecting said light bulb secured in said reecting plate of said upper housing, a slidably movable switch in said upper housing, a contacting plate in said upper housing and actuated by said movable switch for making a contact with the cathode electrode of said dry cell battery and said light bulb and thereby energizing same, a top enclosure made of translucent material for enclosing said upper housing, a transparent lens in said top enclosure made an integral part of said translucent material and also super-imposing said light bulb for concentrating and intensifying the light rays passing from said light bulb and when said light rays are reected from the surface of said reflecting plate; a rst tubular contact socket secured at the bottom surface of said reecting plate and having the opening thereof directed outwardly toward said aperture disposed in said wall of said upper housing, a second tubular contact socket in said upper housing passing through the wall thereof and also having the opening thereof directed outwardly therefrom, means in said second tubular contact socket for connecting :said contacting plate and thereby securing a closed electrical circuit between said dry cell battery including said first tubular contact socket, a pair of lead wires each having a contact plug at the respective ends thereof and being adapted for connecting the respective iirst tubular contact socket and said second tubular contact socket, each of said lead wires having a prodding rod at the extended ends thereof and adapted for use in continuity check; in combination with, a battery recharging unit mounted in the center compartment of said bottom housing connected to and for recharging said dry cell battery disposed in the adjacent longitudinal compartment of said bottom housing, a pair of contact prongs in said bottoni housing having the upper ends extending into said upper housing for securing same in mounted position, one of said prongs for connecting said recharging unit at the lower end thereof and the other prong for contacting said dry cell battery disposed adjacently thereto in its respective longitudinal compartment, the upwardly extending ends of said pair of contact prongs being used for contacting the outlet of A.C. voltage current source when said upper housing is removed from its mounted position upon said bottom housing and thereby recharging said dry cell battery disposed in said longitudinal compartment of said bottom housing.

2. In the apparatus of the class described as defined in claim l, wherein, each open end of said longitudinal compartment in said bottom housing is provided with a threaded end wall for closing lsaid open ends and for securing therein the respective closing plugs, a contact plate means` embedded within said threaded end wall of at least one of said longitudinal compartments for interconnecting at least one of said respective closing plugs and for making a contact with the cathode electrode of said dry cell battery disposed therein, and a contact wire connecting said contact plate means disposed in said threaded end Wall and also for connecting the respective contact prong disposed in said bottom housing and thereby provid-ing the electrical circuit connection for said light bulb of said ashlight unit.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,703,385 3/55 Curd 324-53 2,846,644 8/ 5 8 Costello 324-53 2,899,638 8/59 Olson 324-53 3,005,090 10/61 Moore 200-60 X 3,061,776 10/ 62 Rosenstrach 324-5 3 FOREIGN PATENTS 928,209 11/47 France. 587,036 4/ 47 Great Britain.

WALTER L. CARLSON, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN THE APPARATUS OF THE CLASS DESCRIBED ADAPTED FOR USE IN A CONTINUITY CHECK, COMPRISING, A FLASHLIGHT UNIT HAVING AN UPPER AND A BOTTOM HOUSING DETACHABLY MOUNTED AND SUPER-IMPOSED ONE OVER THE OTHER, SAID UPPER HOUSING HAVING A TOP RIDGE SECTION EXTENDING UPWARDLY, A REFLECTING PLATE HAVING A DWELL AND MOUNTED WITHIN SAID TOP RIDGE SECTION, A WALL IN SAID UPPER HOUSING HAVING AN APERTURE PASSING THERETHROUGH, A LIGHT BULB SECURED IN SAID REFLECTING PLATE, A SET OF LONGITUDINAL COMPARTMENTS IN SAID BOTTOM HOUSING POSITIONED ADJACENTLY TO EACH OTHER AND EACH HAVING AN OPEN AND THREADED END TERMINATING AT THE BOTTOM OF SAID HOUSING, AN OUTER WALL SURROUNDING SAID COMPARTMENTS IN SAID BOTTOM HOUSING, A CLOSING PLUG SECURED IN EACH OF SAID OPEN AND THREADED ENDS OF SAID LONGITUDINAL COMPARTMENTS IN SAID BOTTOM HOUSING, A DRY CELL BATTERY DISPOSED IN ONE OF SAID LONGITUDINAL COMPARTMENTS HAVING THE ANODE ELECTRODE THEREOF DISPOSED IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO AND CONNEDTING SAID LIGHT SECURED IN SAID REFLECTING PLATE OF SAID UPPER HOUSING, A SLIDABLY MOVABLE SWITCH IN SAID UPPER HOUSING, A CONTACTING PLATE IN SAID UPPER HOUSING AND ACTUATED BY SAID MOVABLE SWITCH FOR MAKING A CONTACT WITH THE CATHODE ELECTRODE OF SAID DRY CELL BATTERY AND SAID LIGHT BULB THEREBY ENERGIZING SAME, A TOP ENCLOSURE MADE OF TRANSLUCENT MATERIAL FOR ENCLOSING SAID UPPER HOUSING, A TRANSPARENT LENS IN SAID TOP ENCLOSING MADE AN INTEGRAL PART OF SAID TRASLUCENT MATERIAL AND ALSO SUPER-IMPOSING SAID LIGHT BULB FOR CONCENTRATING AND INTENSIFYING THE LIGHT RAYS PASSING FROM SAID LIGHT BULB AND WHEN SAID LIGHT RAYS ARE REFLECTED FROM THE SURFACE OF SAID REFLECTING PLATE; A FIRST TUBULAR CONTACT SOCKET SECURED AT THE BOTTOM SURFACE OF SAID REFLECTING PLATE AND HAVING THE OPENING THEREOF DIRECTED 